Emotional intelligence and the coping process amongst adolescent populations: A case study of student athletes.

The present chapter will explore the contribution of emotional intelligence to the coping process, with a focus on adolescent populations. Following an introduction to these concepts, a review of research that seeks to enhance coping skills and behaviours amongst adolescent populations will be presented. This is followed by a review of an intervention intended to develop emotional intelligence amongst elite junior netball players. The chapter will conclude with recommendations intended to advance applied research within the emotional intelligence and coping domain. The emphasis placed on applied research within this chapter is driven by three important considerations. Firstly, a criticism of sport and exercise psychology research voiced by academics and sports personnel is the lack of applied research that strives to bridge the gap between theory and practice (Lazarus, 2001; Lane and Terry, 2000). Secondly, adolescence is a crucial stage in psychosocial development, and there are clear benefits of research that utilises theory with the intent to intervene for the benefit of participants. Finally, there is a need to extend present understanding of positive psychology (Frydenberg, 2002). Exploring the way in which individuals cope effectively, develop emotional intelligence and achieve success will increase understanding of positive psychology. As Frydenberg suggests ‘genetics will make us better human animals but the promise of positive psychology is that it will make us better human beings’ (2002, P. vii).